Detroit Free Press Education Writer

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State Superintendent Mike Flanagan wants teachers to get a big pay boost.

Flanagan, speaking before science experts at Michigan State University today, called on teachers in Michigan to make $100,000-plus salaries to attract more mathematicians and scientists into teaching, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Education.

“When you ratchet up teacher salaries to $100,000-plus, market forces will direct more mid-career changers and you’ll attract more math and science college students into our educator prep programs,” he said. Many high school and college students who are good in the subjects don’t see teaching as a viable career option, he said.

Flanagan said all the work being done to increase academic standards “won’t do much good if we don’t have enough math and science teachers in our schools.”

And, he said, there are instances in urban and rural communities where students are being taught by people who aren’t “true math and science teachers,” Flanagan said.

Though the focus of his remarks was about science and math teachers, Flanagan said there is a need to move all teachers to that salary level “to continue getting the best and brightest people educating our students.”

The average teacher salary in Michigan is about $60,000. Salary decisions are made at the local district level.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has made similar calls for teachers to make $100,000-plus salaries.